BSAT-1a

BSAT-1a was a Japanese communications satellite operated by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. Launched in 1997 it was operated in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 110° east until its decommissioning on 3 August 2010. The spacecraft has the International Designator 1997-016B and the catalogue number 24769.

Constructed by Hughes, BSAT-1a was built around the HS-376 satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of 723.0 kilograms (1,593.9 lb) and was designed for ten years of service. The spacecraft's communications payload consisted of eight ku-band transponders; four primary and four backup; which were used for analogue television broadcasting.

The spacecraft was launched by Arianespace, atop a Ariane 44LP, flight number V95, flying from ELA-2 at Kourou. The launch took place at 23:08:44 UTC on 16 April 1997, successfully placing BSAT-1a and Thaicom 3 into a geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite subsequently manoeuvred into its operational geostationary orbit by means of its Star 30BP apogee motor.

Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation

The Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) is a Japanese corporation established in April 1993 to procure, manage and lease transponders on communications satellites. Its largest stockholder, owning 49.9%, is NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. In 1994 it was ranked by Space News as the world's 19th largest fixed satellite operator.

Current satellite fleet

BSAT-2a

BSAT-2a was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation based on the STAR Bus platform. It was launched aboard an Ariane 5G rocket on March 8, 2001. BSAT-2a serves as an on orbit backup to BSAT-2c.BSAT-2a was deorbited in January 2013.

BSAT-2c

BSAT-2c was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation Based on the STAR Bus platform. It was launched aboard an Ariane 5 rocket 2003-06-11. In-orbit delivery to B-SAT took place 2003-07-15. BSAT-2c was deorbited in August 2013.

BSAT-3a

Launched 2007-08-14 by an Ariane 5-ECA expendable launch vehicle. It was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems based on the A2100A platform design, with a communications payload containing 12 Ku-band channels, eight of which operate at one time. Located in geostationary orbit at 110 degrees East longitude, it replaced BSAT-1a and BSAT-1b.